In an unfolding situation at Mother Patrick Convent Primary School in Harare’s Mainway Meadows, approximately 40 students, up to Grade 6, have been abruptly expelled. The school cited the disruption of lessons as the primary reason for this drastic action in letters dated December 2, 2024, sent to parents and guardians.
Acting head Eugenia Muketiwa’s letter explained the expulsions: “Your child has exceeded the allowable limit as per our school’s attendance policy. As a result, we regret to inform you that we are withdrawing your child from our school roll.”
This decision comes in the wake of a teachers’ strike that commenced on November 19, driven by grievances over poor working conditions, demands for fair labor practices, and the payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses. The strike led to a significant disruption in the school’s operations, with parents reporting that their children were left unsupervised, prompting some to withdraw their children for safety reasons.
Parents and guardians have voiced their dismay, labeling the expulsions as unfair and punitive. One parent expressed, “This is a clear case of victimisation by the school administration. Our children are being punished for the actions of the teachers, which is not their fault.” Another parent was perplexed, stating, “How do they miss classes when the staff has been on strike for more than two weeks? We feel the children are being victimised while the school authorities are failing to attend to the challenges affecting the school.”
The school’s management, represented by Mr. Matigimu, has responded to the crisis with a commitment to restore normalcy. In a letter to parents, Matigimu acknowledged the shortcomings: “We acknowledge that the recent events may have fallen short of this expectation. We are committed to restoring normalcy and stability at our school at the earliest.” He also encouraged parents to bring their children back to school, emphasizing the importance of student presence for the institution’s functioning, while assuring that efforts are being made to resolve the administrative issues at hand.
The situation at Mother Patrick Convent Primary School highlights the broader issues of labor disputes in educational settings and their impact on students’ education. The community now watches closely as the school attempts to navigate through this crisis, with hopes pinned on the resolution of the teachers’ grievances and the reinstatement of the expelled learners.